I was hoping to get this entry done in time for AAPI month, but a higher than usual amount of travel, and extroverting, has left me playing catch up on my schedule.

Last weekend, my brother did his buat nak at Wat Thai D.C., and lived there for a whole week. It’s a Thai tradition where sons enter monkhood for a short period, to study the Buddha’s teachings and practice monastic life. Some do it for a few days, others for a few months–but whatever the duration, it’s considered a very blessed occasion, and the ultimate expression of gratitude to your parents.

Part of the ceremony involves getting your head shaved. With an electric razor, it would only take a matter of minutes–but instead, the act becomes a slow, meditative ceremony unto itself. The main abbot does the first few snips with a pair of scissors, as the rest of the abbots and monks line up for their turn. One snip of hair, and the scissors are passed on. Then, family and all other attendees are invited to take part, each taking a snip. It’s only after everyone has had a turn, that the electric shaver comes out.

His Holiness Luang Ta Chi of Wat Thai D.C., doing the first snips.

It’s a highly inefficient way to get a haircut, but a lovely reminder that in this instance, it’s all about the process, and the community sharing in the joy and gratitude of the ceremony. It really struck a chord within me.

Getting back to NYC, and inspired by all this, I wanted to work on a little something just for me. Just like the humble single snip of hair, I pared everything back to just a short line. And repeated them over and over, to create something greater. Some lines are painted with a brush, some with colored pencil; some are lighter, some are darker. But they are all just single, short strokes… Drawn line after line after line.

Highly inefficient, but full of intention and mindfulness.